Which is NOT a thermal effect of ultrasound?

Which is NOT a thermal effect of ultrasound?

• A. Acceleration of metabolic rate
• B. Increased circulation
• C. Decreased joint stiffness
• D. Facilitation of tissue repair

Answer: (D)

Ultrasound heating produces temperature-related changes: when tissue temperature rises, metabolic activity increases, blood vessels dilate and circulation improves, and the heat makes collagen-rich tissues more pliable, reducing joint stiffness. These are direct thermal effects because they arise from the actual rise in tissue temperature. Facilitating tissue repair, while a beneficial outcome of ultrasound therapy, is not a direct thermal effect. Tissue repair involves longer-term cellular and tissue remodeling processes that can be influenced by both thermal and non-thermal ultrasound mechanisms, so it doesn’t stem simply from heating.

Ultrasound heating produces temperature-related changes: when tissue temperature rises, metabolic activity increases, blood vessels dilate and circulation improves, and the heat makes collagen-rich tissues more pliable, reducing joint stiffness. These are direct thermal effects because they arise from the actual rise in tissue temperature.

Facilitating tissue repair, while a beneficial outcome of ultrasound therapy, is not a direct thermal effect. Tissue repair involves longer-term cellular and tissue remodeling processes that can be influenced by both thermal and non-thermal ultrasound mechanisms, so it doesn’t stem simply from heating.